Register device for feeders.



W. B. STORY.

REGISTER DEVICE FOR FEEDERS.

APPLICATION FILE-D JUNE 20-1912.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

WSE\-N m 1 A r A ttorneys.

W. B. STORY.

REGISTER DEVICE FOR FEEDERS.

APPI ICATION FILED JUNE 20. I912.

"Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Attorneys.

W. B. STORY.

REGISTER DEVICE FOR FEEDERS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20.1912.

Inventor WhrwB., Yi'0ry @a a All neys.

finger.

WARD IB. STORY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T WARD B. STORY COMPANY,INC.,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

REGISTER DEVICE FOR FEEDERS.

a machine for timing and straightening sheets from a feeder withoutarresting the forward movement of the sheets or losing control of themat any time.

According to this invention, I avoid the use of belts or tapes formoving the sheets to the gages. Belts or tapes are objectionable forthis purpose. I The wear on the different tapes is usually unequal,which will cause irregularities in the feed. The feed by belts or tapesis not positive. The belts or tapes stretch, and require frequentattention. Each belt or tape requires its own tightening devices, whichadds to the complexity, of the machine. The greatest objection is causedby the lapped or jointed ends of the belt or tape, usually called thebutt, which produces an irregularity in the surface which supports thesheet, thus causing distortions of the sheets, such as wrinkling orbuckling. By the present invention, these objectionable features, causedby the use of the tapes,. are removed.

A further object is to produce a machine in which the rapidity of feedis increased, at the same time absolute regularity of gaging is secured.

These and further objects will more fully appear from the followingspecification and accompanying drawings, considered together orseparately.

Figure 1 is a plan View of a portion of a feeding machine embodying myinvention. Fig. 1 is a detail plan view of the feeling Fig. 1 is a sideelevation of the finger and holding-down blades. Fig. 1 is adiagrammatic view of one form of acceleratingmechanism used in thestructure illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the partsshown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a detail view of one of the holding-downblades and the support therefor. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 ofFig. 1, looking in;.the direction of the arrow. Fig. 3 is a detailsection of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is asection on the l l l Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16,1915.

Application filed June 20, 1912. Serial No. 704,707.

line 4.'1 of Fig. 1, looking'in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 is aplan view of'a portion of the device shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is anenlarged side elevation of the buckle detecting mechanism. Fig. 6- is aplan view of the same; and Fig. 7 is a detail sectional v1ew oftheintermediate drop rollers and the supports therefor.

In all of the figures, like parts are designated by the samereferencecharacters.

In the embodiment chosen for illustration, the various instrumentalitiesfor performing the functions of the invention are carr1ed within orsupported by the frame 1. The parts are so arranged that the sheets arefed from right to left. The pile feeder,

or other device for inserting the sheets inv the machine, is not shown.Any suitable device can be used for this purpose. The sheet first passesover the front feeding roller 2. This roller is engaged by the frontdrop rollers 3, 3. All of the instrumentalities indicated by theexponent a, in the drawings, and also in the specification, which arelocated on the right hand, looking from the entrance end of the machine,

are adjustable toward and away from the left hand side, to accommodatevarying widths of sheets. The sheetpasses from between these rollers 2and 3 and 3 upon the table, 45. It is next engaged by the intermediatefeeding rollers 5, 5 These rollers are engaged by the drop rollers 6, 6These drop rollers hold'the sheet in contact with thefeeding rollers.The sheet then'passes to the rear intermediate rollers 7, 7 Theserollers are engaged by the drop rollers 8, 8

The front tape rollers 9, 9 are preferably formed as a part of the rearintermediate rollers, so as to turn at the same speed. The

tapes 10, 10 are continuous. Each tape carries a gage 11 or 11. For thepurpose of running the tapes in unison, each is provided with teeth 12on the inner side. These teeth engage in notches 13 formed on the taperollers. The other ends of the tapes are supported upon the rear taperollers 14, 14

The-sheet next passes to the rear feed rollers These feed rollersareengaged by .These various rollers that they engage the side edges 15, 15drop rollers 16, 16. and tapes are so positioned with the sheet adjacentto thereof. For the purpose of driving these a longitudinal shaft 17 isvarious rollers,

This shaft is roprovided (see Fig. l).

tated by suitable mechanism (not shown). This shaft is provided withmiter gears 18. These miter gears connect to and drive a shaft 19. Theshaft 19 supports the front feed rollers 2, and rotates the same. Mitergears 20 are connected to a shaft 21. This shaft 21 supports theintermediate feed rollers5, 5. A shaft 22 (see Fig. 4) is mounted insuitable bearings in the frame. This shaft 22 is provided with a gear 24(see Fig. 4). The gear 24 is rotated by a pinion 25. A second pinion 26is enmeshed with the pinion 25 (see Fig. 1). This pinion 26 is rotatedby a miter gear 27 from the shaft 17.

'shaft 43.

The shaft 22 carries a gear 28 (see Fig. 4). Thisgear 28 meshes with androtates a pinion 29. The pinion 29 is mounted upon and rotates a shaft30. This shaft 30 carries the rear tape rollers 14, 14 and the rear feedI rollers 15, 15

The rollers 14 and 15 are adjustable longitudinally upon theirsupporting shaft, for,

the purpose previously described.

The'shaft 30 carries a cam'31 (see Figs. 1

and 1). This cam 31. is connected with the pinion 29, so as to rotatethe latter with a regulated accelerating and retarding movement. Asuitable device for this purpose is shown in my application filed March12, 1912, Serial No. 683,331. Fig. 1 shows a side register mechanism 32.This mechanism is similar to that described in my co-pending applicationfiled April 12, 1912, Serial No. 688,805.

The means for actuating the drop rollers 3, 3 will now be described.Each drop roller 3 and 3 is suitably supported by the rock shaft 33 bymeans of arms 34. The drop roller 3 is adjustable along the shaft,

- for the purpose before described. The shaft 33 is provided with a bellcrank 35. -One arm 36 of the bell crank'is connected to a suitablespring 37. The expansion of this spring tends to rotate the shaft 33 andto press the drop rollers 3, 3 against the feeding roller 2. The secondarm 38 of the bell crank is connected by means of a pitman 39 to a bellcrank 40. This bell crank 4Q is carried upon the shaft 21. A roller 41on one arm of the bell crank engages against a cam 42. This cam 42 iscarried upon a The cam is so shaped that the drop rollers 3, 3 will belifted when the sheet gets under control of the rollers 5 and 6, 6, andwill be lowered at the proper time to take and forward the next sheet.The shaft 43 carries the rear intermediate feeding rollers 7 and 7 andthe front tape rollers 9 and 9*. The rollers 7 and 9 are adjustablelongitudinally upon the shaft for the purpose already described.

I will now describe the mechanism, in the order in which the sheets areengaged after they leave the rollers 2 and 3, 3. The sheets first passon to the table 4. Before they are engaged with the rollers 5 and 6, 6they will come under the front holding-down blades 44, 44*. These frontholding-down blades are best shown in Fig. 1 The blades are arrangedimmediately inside of the intermediate drop rollers and contiguous tothe intermediate feeding rollers. The front holding-down blade 44*, isadjustable longitudinally upon its support, to accommodate variouswidths of sheets. The blades are so positioned that they hold down theedges of the sheet. Each front holding-down blade is provided with acut-out portion 45 (see Fig. 5).. The cut-out portion is for the purposeof accommodating the buckle which will be formed in the sheet when itcomes into contact with the gages, or is irregularly fed. The sheet inits travel through the machine will next be confined by the rearholding-down blades 46, 46 The blade 46 is adjustable with its supportto accommodate various widths of sheets.

The front holding-down blades are carried upon supports 47 and 47 (seeFigs. 5, 6 and 7). These supports also carry the drop rollers 6, 6 and8, 8. The drop rollers 6, 6* are carried upon arms 48, 48*. These armsare pivoted to the supports 47, 47 The drop rollers 8, 8 are carriedupon arms 49, 49. These arms are also pivoted to the sup orts.

or the purpose of lifting and depressing the drop rollers, the followingmechanism nism which is located on the left side of the machine. Themechanism on the right side is adjustable in position laterally toaccommodate different widths of sheets, and the different parts areindicated on the drawing by the exponent a. In addition, the droprollers 6 and 8, and 6 and 8 are'independently actuated to accommodateirregularities in feeding, as will be described.

he arm 48 is provided with a finger 50. The arm 49 is provided withafinger 51. These two fingers are connected together by a bolt 52. Aspiral spring 53 surrounds the bolt. A nut 54 on the end of the boltpermits adjustment. The expansion of the spring will separate thefingers and 51, and will tend to force both drop rollers 6 and 8 intocontact with the feeding rollers 5 and 7 The adjustment of the nut 54 issuch that both drop rollers 6 and 8 cannot engage at the same time withtheir respective feeding rollers. When the sheet is benet.

cam 58 is-mounted on the shaft 43. As the cam rotates on the shaft 43,engagement of the roller 57 with it will oscillate the bell crank lever55 upon the support 47, raising or lowering the drop roller 6. This cam58 is so proportioned that the drop roller will be raised and depressedat the proper moment, as will be described. A second arm 59 on the bellcrank lever 55 is connected to a spring 60. This spring tends to holdthe roller 57 in contact with the cam 58. The free end of the arm 59engages with a latch 61. This latch is carried by a lever 62. This lever62 is pivoted at 63 to a portion of the frame 1. The other end of thelever 62 carries an armature 64. In proper position in relation to thearmatures is a magnet 65. A switch contact member 66 is provided inconnection with the mag- A correlative switch contact member 67 isprovided in connection with an electric circuit 68 (see Fig. 2).

A spring 69 engages with the lever 62 and normally tends to separate thearmature.

from the magnet. The switch contact member 67 is carried by a lever 7 0.The lever 70 is supported upon a rock shaft 71. A feeling finger 72 iscarried upon therock shaft 71; A spring 73 normally tends to separatethe switch members.-

The feeling finger is normally just above the table 81 (to bedescribed), and alongside of the front holding-down blade 44. Sufficientspace is provided between the table and finger to allow the sheet tofreely travel. Any distortion or buckling of the sheet upward, willraise the finger.

The operation of this portion of the mechanism is as follows :When thesheet is fed mto the machine, the front edge will come into contact withthe stop 11. The effect of this will be to buckle the sheet or raise itup into the cut-away portion in the blade 44. This will raise thefeeling finger 72.

This movement will oscillate the rock shaft 71 and depress the lever 70.This will bring the two switch members on that side of the machine intocontact, the electric circuit on thatside will be completed, and themagnet 65 will be energized. The armature 64 will be attracted by themagnet. The lever 62 will be rotated upon its pivot, and the 'latch 61will be disengaged from the arm e 11 or 11, and will buckle, raising theand a sliding table 82.

feeling finger on that side, While the other side or edge is continuedto be fed forward. The detailed description of the feeding will followafter the entire machine has been described.

For the purpose of raising the drop rollers 16 and 16 at the propertime, the following mechanism is employed: Referring to Fig. 4, it willbe seen that the drop rollers 16 and 16 are supported by the arms 74,74*. These arms are carried by the rock shaft 75. This operates bothdrop rollers at the same time, so that the sheet, which has had itsfront edge properly alined by means of the mechanism just described,will be fed forward without losing its alinement. Its front register istrue, caused by the operation of the mechanism previously described. Thedrop roller 16 is adjustable longitudinally upon the rock shaft for thepurposes before mentioned. This rock shaft 75 is rocked or oscillated bymeans of the lever 76. A rod 77 is connected with this lever and movesit. On one end of the rod is a roller 78. A spring 79 normally tends toelevate the rod 77 and yieldingly hold the 1 drop rollers 16, 16 incontact with the rear feed rollers, 15, 15 A cam 80carried by the shaft22 engages with this roller 78 and moves the rod 77 at the proper timeto raise the drop rollers at the proper point in relation to the sheet.

In order to support the sheets when engaged by the intermediate feedingrollers, I provide a stationary table 81 (see Fig. 1), The sliding tableis adjustable across the width of the machine, to accommodate varyingwidths of sheets. Between the two tables is the collapsible table 83.This table is formed of slats 84 connected together and to the slidingtable and the stationary table by means o the lazy tongs 85.

For the purpose of adjusting the various instrumentalities carried bythe table 82, and which are designated by the exponent a, and also toadjust the width of.the table, the following devices are provided:Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, a nut 86 is connected tothesliding table 82. This nut. engages with the threaded portion of a shaft87. One end of this shaft is mounted in a suitable bearing in the frame.It is rotated by a hand wheel 88. A bearing 90 on the fixed table 81supports the other end of the shaft, and a collar holds the shaftagainst longitudinal movement.

way 93. This key-way engageswith a key carried by the rear tape roller14 and the rear feed roller 15*. A set screw 94 secures the rear feedroller 15 on the shaft 30. This set screw is loosened up when the table82 is slid. When the table is slid, it carries the bearing 104, and thetape roller 14 with it. The necessity of having the set screw is tolockthe feed roller 15 to'the shaft 30, which is required for theoperation of the side register mechanism described in my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 688,805. The other rear tape roller and rear feedroller 14 and 15, respectively, are connected to the shaft in the mannershown in Fig. 4. The roller 14 engages with a bearing 95 on thestationary table 81. The roller 14 is provided with a hub 96, which ismounted within the bearing. The rollers 15 and 15 are not movablerelatively to the shaft 30. It follows, therefore, that when the shaft30 is longitudinally moved for side'register, it will carry the rollers15 and 15 and with them the sheet to be registered, but will not carrythe rollers 14 and 14 The tapes are not moved for the reason that .theshaft is movable relatively to the rollers 14 and 14 The rearholding-down blades 46 and 46 are so mounted that they can swing inward.This is desirable in the event of a sheet becomingfcaught in themachine. erator can graspthe sheet and pull it upward, the holding-downblades swinging upon their pivots inward and releasing the sheet. Thedetails of this construction are 1 best shown in Fig. 2 The blade 46 or46 is supported by the brackets 97. These brackets are carried by thestationary table 81 and sliding table 82. A pivot 98 is connected to anarm 99, and this arm carries .the blade. Fig. '3 illustrates the supportfor the adfustable'rear intermediate feeding roller 7 and front taperoller 9*. These rollers are supported upon the shaft 43. A bearing 100depends from the sliding table 82. This bearing supports the shaft 431The bearing is provided with an extension 101. The hub 102 of therollers 7 and 9 is mounted upon this extension. suitable collar 103holds the hub in position. As the table 82 is slid, these rollers'movewith it.

The table has an extension 105 to support the sheet before it is graspedby the grippers on the taking cylinder, or other device. My application,Serial No. 692,393, filed April 22, 1912, shows one form of takingdevice suitable for the purpose. Any other device may be employed.

The operation of the complete machine is as follows :Referring moreparticularly to Fig. 2, the sheets are fed to the rollers 2 and 3. Anyform of pile feeder or any other device for this purpose can beemployed. If desired, the sheets may be fed by hand.

The op-.

These rollers 2 and 3 it is assumed will turn at normal speed, that isto say,they Wlll propel the sheet forward and at the designed speed ofthe apparatus. The sheets will be supported by the table. They will bedriven from the rollers 2 and 3 to the rollers 5 and 6. It is,therefore, apparent thatthe distance between the rollers 2 and .5 mustbe less than the length of the sheet.

When the sheet gets under the control of the rollers 5 and 6, it willthen be fed forward by these latter rollers. Continuing the movement,the rollers 5 and 6 will propel the sheet until either side of itsleading edge comes in contact with. the front registering gages 11 and11 These gages, as has been described, are carried by the retarded belts10. The difierence in speed between the gages and the sheet will causethe sheet to buckle slightly behind the rollers 5 and 6. It will benoted that the holding-down blades 46 are provided with the cut-outportion 45, at this place, and as the sheet is supported by the table 4,it cannot buckle downward. The buckling, therefore, must be entirelyupward. This buckling of the sheet will lift the feeling fingers 72, 72,as has been described. This lifting of the feeling fingers will makeelectric contact with the switches, and will energize the magnets 65.This will trip the latches 61, 61, which hold the drop rollers 6, 6down. The springs 60,- 60, immediately ra1se the drop rollers 6, 6, and,at the same time, bring the drop rollers 8, 8*, into active posltion. Atthis moment, the gages 11, 11*, will be at the point of connectionbetween the drop rollers 8, 8 and the rollers 7, 7*.

Y The rollers 7, 7, are driven by the belts 10,

however, will continue to travel by engagement with the rollers 5 and 6,or 5 and 6 at normal speed, until it reaches the gages on that side 11or 11 When this occurs, that edge of the sheet will be'buckled upward,raising the feeling fingers 72 or 72,

and tripping the mechanism on that side sothat the drop roller 6 or 6,is raised. It is, therefore, apparent that the sheet is accuratelybrought against the gages 11 and 11 irrespective of whether it isslightly in advance of the gages, or if its front edge is not squareacross the machine. The earns 58 and 58*, throw the rollers 6 and 6 intoaction just before the sheet arrives to them. It

also holds the drop rollers 6, 6, down positively, until the front edgeof the sheet has passed the cut-out 45 in the holding-down blades 44:.This prevents a curled edge of the sheet from tripping the mechanism,71. e.from raising the feeling fingers before it reaches the gage. Thisfeature of the invention is very valuable, as must be apparent. Afterthe rollers 7 and 8 have forwarded the sheet well into engagement withthe rollers 15 and 16, the cams 58 and 58 which control the rollers 6and 6*, as well as the rollers 8 and 8, immediately lift the droprollers 8 and 8 sufficiently to clear the sheet. As described, however,the movement of the cams is not sufiicient at this point to seat thedrop rollers 6. and 6*, consequently, the sheet will be drawn forward bythe rollers 15 and 15 and 16 and 16 The sheet now is entirely undercontrol of the rollers 15 and 16 and 15 and 16*. These rollers, actuatedby the side registering mechanism 32, will bring the sheet into sideregister, in the manner described in my, co-pending application beforereferred to. The feeling fingers produce a very delicate and sensitivemechanism. It is apparent that the vertical movement, due to thedistortion of the sheet, will be very much greater than the forwardmovement. It is, therefore, apparent that a very small forward movementof the sheet when it is arrested by the gages, will be magnified into avery much larger vertical buckling movement. The feeling fingers will,therefore, be moved to a sufiicient angular extent to close the electriccircuits, even if the forward movement of the sheet is very little, witha consequently small mis-alinement. It is also apparent that thefeelingfingers and the switch fingers can be very nicely balanced on theirpivots, so that the'feeling fingers will respond to very light forces,due to very fiexiblesheets.

I have described my invention in connection with an electric circuit foractuating each drop roller. This is immaterial, however, as it is solelyfor purposes of illustration. An electric circuit is not essential,although I consider it to be the best for the purpose. Other devices(not illustrated) may be employed, to connect the feeling fingers withthe latches 61, 61. In some situations, the latches themselves need notbe used and may be omitted, the instrumentalities between the feelingfingers and the drop rollers'being very much simplified.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I havedescribed the principle of my invention, together with the apparatuswhich I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but Idesire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merelyillustrative and that the invention can be carried out in other ways.

buckling the sheet, and a feeler actuated by the buckling of the sheet,for disengaging the feeding means.

3. A feeding device having a gage, a roller for feeding a sheet to thegage, means for holding the roller in operative position, therebybuckling the sheet, and means actuated by the buckling of the sheet, fordisengaging the first means.

4. A feeding device having a gage, a

roller for feeding a sheet to the gage, a lock for holding the roller inoperative position, thereby buckling the sheet, and means actuated bythe buckling of the sheet, for tripping the lock.

5. A feeding device having a gage, adja-- I cent to each leading cornerof the sheet to be fed, means adjacent to each edge of the sheet, forfeeding the sheet to the gage, thereby buckling the sheet, and means,also adjacent to each edge of the sheet, and actuated by the buckling ofthe sheet, for disengaging the feeding means for that edge.

6. A feeding device having a gage, adjacent to each leading corner ofthe sheet to be fed, a roller adjacent to each edge of the sheet, forfeeding the sheet to the gage, thereby buckling the sheet, and meansalso adjacent to each edge of the sheet, and actuated by the buckling ofthe sheet, for disengaging the feeding roller for that edge.

7. A feeding device having a gage adj acent to each leading corner ofthe sheet to' be fed, means adjacent to each edge of the sheet, forfeeding the sheet tothe gage, thereby buckling the sheet, and a feeleralso adjacent to each edge of the sheet, and actuated by the buckling ofthe sheet, for disengaging the feeding means for that edge.

8. A feeding device having a gage adja cent to each leading corner ofthe sheet to be fed, a roller adjacent to each edge of the sheet, forfeeding the sheet to the gage, thereby buckling the sheet, a feeler alsoadjacent to each edge of the sheet, and actuated by the buckling of thesheet, for disengaging the feeding roller for that edge.

9. A feeding device having a plurality of gages, a plurality of meansfor feeding the sheet to the gage, thereby buckling the sheet, and meansactuated by the buckling of the sheet between a gage and the adjacentfeeding means, for disengaging such means.

10. A feeding device having a plurality of gages, a plurality of rollersfor feeding vthe sheet, to the gage, thereby buckling the 12. A feedingdevice having a gage,means for feeding the sheet, to the gage, means formoving the gage in the same direction as .the sheet, thereby bucklingthe sheet, and means actuated by the buckling of the sheet, fordisengaging the feeding means.

13. A feeding device having a gage, means for feeding the sheet to thegage, means for moving the gage in the same direction as the sheet,thereby buckling the sheet, and a feeler actuated by the buckling of thesheet, for disengaging the feeding means.

14. A feedin device having. a gage, a

roller for feedlng the sheet to the gage,

means for moving the gage in the same direction as the sheet, therebybuckling the sheet, and a feeler actuated by the buckling of the sheet,for disengaging the feeding roller. e

15. A feeding device having a gage, means for feeding the sheet to thegage, means for moving the gage in the same direction as the sheet,means for retarding the movementof the gage as the sheet comes intocontact with it, to cause the sheet to buckle, and means actuated by thebuckling of the sheet, for disengaging the feeding means.

16. A feeding device having a gage, means for feeding the sheet to thegage, means for moving the gage in the same direction as the sheet,means for retarding the movement of the gage as the sheet comes intocontact with it to cause the sheet to buckle, and a feeler actuated bythe buckling of the sheet,

7 for disengaging the feeding means.

17. A feeding device having a gage, a roller for feeding the sheet tothe gage, means for moving the gage in the same direction as the sheet,means for retarding the movement of the gage as the sheetcomes intocontact with it to cause the sheet to buckle, and means actuated by thebuckling of the sheet, for disengaging the feeding roller. Y

18. A feeding device having a gage, a roller for feeding the sheet tothe gage, means for moving the gage in the same direction as the sheet,means for retarding the movement of the gage as the sheet comes intocontact with it to cause the sheet to buckle, and a feeler actuated bythe buckling ofuthe sheet, for disengaging the feeding r0 er.

19. A feedin device having a gage, a drop roller for fee ing the sheetto the gage, means for moving the gage in the same direction as thesheet, thereby buckling the sheet, a feeler actuated by the buckling ofthe sheet, an electric circuit, including a magnet, energized by themovement of the said feeler, an armature actuated by the magnet, a latchfor engaging the drop roller with the sheet, and means tending to movethe drop roller away from the sheet, said latch being actuated by themovement of the armature.

' 20. A feeding device having a gage, a drop roller for feeding thesheet to the gage, thereby buckling the sheet, a feeler actuated by thebuckling of the sheet, an electric circuit, including a magnet,energized by the movement of the said feeler, an armature actuated bythe magnet, means for engaging the drop roller with the sheet, meanstending to move the drop roller away from the sheet, said engaging meansbeing actuated by the movement of the armature.

- 21. A feeding device having a gage, a drop roller for feeding thesheet to the gage,

thereby buckling the sheet, means actuated by the buckling of the sheet,an electric circuit, including a magnet, energized by the movement ofthe said means, an armature actuated by the magnet, means for engagingthe drop roller with the sheet, and means tending to move the droproller away from the sheet, said engaging means being actuated by themovement of the armature.

'22. A feeding device having a gage, a drop roller for feeding the sheetto the gage, thereby buckling the sheet, means actuated by the bucklingof the sheet, an electric circuit, including a magnet, energized by themovement of the said means, an armature actuated by the magnet, meansfor engaging the drop roller with the sheet, means tending to move thedrop roller away'from the sheet, said engaging means being actuated bythe movement of the armature. a

23. A feeding device having a gage, a drop roller for feeding the sheetto the gage, means for moving the gage in the same direction as thesheet, thereby bi ckling the sheet, a feeler actuated by the buckling ofthe sheet, an *electric circuit, including a magnet energized by themovement of the said feeler, an armature actuated by the magnet, meansfor engaging the drop roller with the sheet, means tending to move thedrop roller away from the sheet, said engaging means being actuated bythe move ment of the armature.

24. A feeding device having a gage, a drop roller for feeding the sheetto the gage, means for moving the gage in the same direction as thesheet, means for retarding the movement of the gage as the sheet comesin contact with it thereby buckling the sheet,

armature actuated by the magnet, a latch for engaging the drop rollerwith .the sheet,

and means tending to move the drop roller away from the sheet, saidlatch being actuated by the movement of the armature.

25. A feeding device having gages in position to engage with the cornersof the sheet, a feeding roller in advance of the gages, a drop rolleradjacent to each edge of the sheet, means for engaging the drop rollerwith the sheet, a feeler adjacent to each edge of the sheet, an electriccircuit controlled by each feeler, a latch for each drop roller, holdingthe latter in contact with the sheet, magnetic means within eachcircuit, for tripping the latch, each feeler and its controlledmechanism being independent, 1

so that the front corners of the sheet coming into contact with thegages will buckle up the side edges of the sheet and actuate the feelingfingers, and raise the drop rollers in the order that the corners engagewith the gages and thereby straighten the sheet.

26. A feeding device having gages in position to engage with the cornersof'the sheet,

afeeding roller in advance of the gages. a drop roller adjacent to eachedge of the sheet, means forengaging the drop roller with the sheet, afeeler adjacent to each edge of the sheet, an electric circuit controlled by each feeler, means for each drop roller, holding the latterin contact with the sheet, magnetic means within each circuit,

' for tripping the engaging means, each-feeler and its controlledmechanism being independent, so that the front corners of the 7 sheetcoming into contact with the gages will buckle up the side edges of thesheet and actuate the feeling fingers, and raise the drop rollers in theorder that the corners engage with the gages and thereby straighten thesheet.

27. A feeding device having gages in position to engage with the cornersof the sheet, a feeding means in advance of the gages, a drop roller adjacentto each edge of the sheet, means for engaging the drop roller withthe sheet,-a feeler adjacent to 'ners engage with the each edge of thesheet, an electric circuit controlled by each feeler, a latch for eachdrop roller, holding the latter in contact with the sheet, magneticmeansWithin each circuit, for tripping the latch, each feeler and itscontrolled mechanism being independent, so that the front corners of thesheet coming intocontact with the gages will buckle up the side edges ofthe sheet and actuate the feeling fingers, and raise the drop rollers inthe order that the corgages and thereby straighten the sheet.

- 28. A feeding device having gages in position to engage with thecorners of the sheet, a feeding roller in advance of the gages, a droproller adjacent to each edge of the sheet, means for engaging the droproller with the sheet, a holding-down blade adjacent to each droproller, such blade having a recess therein to accommodate the bucklingof the sheet, a feeler adjacent to each edge of the sheet, an electriccircuit controlled by each feeler, a latch for each drop roller,

holding the latter into contact with the sheet,

magnetic means Within each circuit, for

' tripping the latch, each feeler and its controlled mechanism beingindependent, so that the front corners of the sheet coming into contactwith the gages will buckle up the side edges of the sheet into therecesses and actuate the feeling fingers, and raise the drop rollers inthe order that the corners engage with the gages, and thereby straightenthe sheet.

a 29. A feeding device having gages in po-. sition to engage with thecorners of the sheet, a feeding roller in advance of the gages, a droproller adjacent to each edge of the sheet, means for engaging the droproller with the sheet, a holding-down blade adjacent to each droproller, such blade having a recess therein to accommodate the bucklingof the sheet, a feeler adjacent to each edge of the sheet, an electriccircuit controlled by each feeler, engaging means for each drop roller,holding the latter in contact with the sheet, magnetic means within eachcircuit, for disengaging the engaging means, each feeler and itscontrolled mechanism being independent, so that the front corners of thesheet coming into contact with the gages will buckle up the side edgesof the sheet into the recess and actuate the feeling fingers, and raisethe drop rollers in i the order that the corners engage with the gages,and thereby straighten the sheet.

30. A feeding device having gages in position-to engage with the cornersof the sheet, feeding means in advance of the gages, a drop rolleradjacent to each edge of the sheet, means for engaging the drop rollerwith the sheet, a holding-down blade adjacent to each drop roller, suchblade having a recess therein to accommodate the buckling of the sheet,a feeler adjacent to each edge of the sheet, an electric circuitcontrolled by each feeler, a latch for each drop roller, holding thelatter in contact with the sheet, magnetic means within each circuit,for tripping the latch, each feeler and itscontrolled mechanism beingindependent, so that the front corners of the sheet coming intocontactwith the gages will buckle up the side edges of the sheet intothe recess and actuate the feeling fingers, and raise the drop rollersin the order that the corners engage with the gages, and therebystraighten the sheet.

31. A feeding device having front and rear feeding rollers, a droproller in 006perative relation therewith, a gage, means for moving thegage in the direction away from the rear feeding roller, a feelingfinger located intermediate the front and rear drop rollers, saidfeeling finger being actuated by the buckling of the sheet when it iscrowded against the gage, and connections between said finger and droprollers, for raising the front drop roller and lowering the rear droproller, said connections being actuated by the movement of the finger.

32. A feeding device having front and rear feeding rollers, a droproller in cooperative relation therewith, a gage, means for moving thegage in the direction away from the rear feeding roller, means locatedintermediate the front and rear drop rollers, said means being actuatedby the buckling of the sheet when it is crowded against the gage, andconnections between said means and drop rollers, for raising the frontdrop roller and lowering the rear drop roller, said connections beingactuated by the movement of said means. y

y 33. A feeding device having the following instrumentalities adjacentto each edge of the sheet, said instrumentalities being independent ofeach other: front and rear feeding rollers, a drop roller in cooperativerelation therewith, a gage, means for moving the gage in the'directionaway from the rear feeding roller, a feeling finger located intermediatethe front and rear drop rollers, said feeling finger being actuated bythe buckling of the sheet when it is crowded against-the gage, andconnections between said finger and drop rollers, for raising the frontdrop roller and lowering the rear drop roller on that edge of the sheet,said connections being actuated by the movement of the finger.

34. A feeding device having front and rear feeding rollers, and feelingfingers, means for supporting the same, and means for simultaneouslyadjusting the position of a portion of said feeding rollers and fingersto accommodate difierent widths of sheets.

35. A feeding device having feeding means and gaging devices, withholdingdown blades adjacent to each side edge of the sheet, supportingmeans for the blades, the supporting means for a blade at each side ofthe sheet being pivoted to allow the blades to swing inwardly when asheet is raised and means for simultaneously adjusting the feeding andgaging means and the holding down blades at one side of the sheet toaccommodate different widths of sheets. 1

36. A feeding device having feeding and gaging means adapted to engagethe side edges of the sheet, holding down blades adjacent to the sideedges of the sheet and a supporting table, a portion of said feeding andgaging means and holding down blades being adjustable laterally, thewidth of said table also being adjustable to accommodate varying widthsof sheets.

This specification signed and witnessed this 12th day of June, 1912.

WARD B. STORY.

Witnesses:

JAS. F. COLEMAN, JOHN L. Lo'rsoH.

